Onshore and offshore evidences for four abrupt “warming” episodes during MIS 6 at the westernmost tip of continental Europe: did they control the migrations of Neanderthals?

Abstract

The total shell production typical of the Pupilla association in the onshore site of Nantois (Brittany, France) evidenced for the first time four brief, abrupt, warm and humid episodes during the Upper Saalian (MIS 6) loess deposition. These “warming” events were also found in the marine deposits of the Celtic Sea (MD03-2692 core). Comparison with the variations of the sea-level, show that the “warming” episodes were not only of regional interest but corresponded to global events ruled by precession and insolation cycles. Other comparisons with biomarker records (mollusсs, charcoal and rodents) of the Paris Basin (Villiers-Adam) and Jersey Island (La Cotte de Saint Brolade) confirm the existence of these warmer events. Tentative correlations with the discontinuous Neanderthal dwelling phases recorded in Brittany suggest that these populations were mainly (only?) present in Westernmost Europe during the warmer episodes.